Month: June 2018

Peter Dunne Wellington, June 30, 2018 There has been a curiously lethargic reaction to the Land and Water Forum’s Report regarding steps to improve water quality levels over the next few years. Environmental organisations have decried the Report as timid, while the Environment Minister has said that it shows that the Forum has reached the end of its life. Yet,…

Supplied Content Helsinki, Finland, June 30, 2018 Fortum Singalong Shuttle will pilot by driving festival visitors at Ruisrock Festival from July 6 to 8, 2018 in Turku, Finland. Singalong Shuttle will operate between Aurajoki Riverbank and Ruisrock Festival Bus Station during the weekend from 12 pm to and 5 pm. No Cash or Plastic “The drivers of Singalong Shuttle will…

Supplied Content Wellington, June 30, 2018 Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters and Health Minister Dr David Clark are pleased that the District Health Boards have made a revised offer to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation that has seen the strike notice lifted for July 5, 2018. The new DHB offer will be recommended to members by the NZNO and a…

Michael Henstock Wellington, June 30, 2018 Fulfilling potential relationships and leveraging opportunities between New Zealand and Indian markets was the key theme of the recent ‘Reimagining India New Zealand Relationship’ nationwide series of talks. In Wellington on Wednesday, June 26, 2018, Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker addressed an audience of business people, exporters, senior economic advisors, academia, and…

RNZ, Auckland, June 30, 2018 The Fiji budget contains ‘look good’ policies which will not address people’s concerns about the cost of living, an economist in Fiji says. Grants for new-borns and first time house buyers as well as increases in parental leave are among some of the new initiatives in the national revenue raising and spending plan announced on…

Ana Ravulo Suva, Fiji, June 30, 2018 The 2018/2019 estimated national budget that was announced by Attorney General and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum on Thursday, June 28 stands at F$ 4.6 billion. This accounts for an increase of F$ 300 million. The estimated operating expenditure stands at over F$ 2 billion, estimated capital at more than F$ 1 billion and…

RNZ, Auckland, June 30, 2018 Fog restrictions at Auckland Airport have been lifted after weather led to cancellation or delay of about 65 flights. Fog restrictions were put in place from about 730 am to 1120 am. About 35 domestic flights were cancelled and 30 delayed. International flights and those to Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown were not affected. MetService…

Mridula Nath Chakraborty Clayton, Victoria, Australia June 30, 2018 This is not a Report but a Friday Essay. Opening Night, Melbourne Comedy Festival 2018. Dilruk Jayasinha’s introductory salvo: This is so exciting. I honestly… Sorry, it’s unbelievable — that I get to do stand-up comedy here at the Palais in Melbourne. Because I… I’m from Sri Lanka! And I used…

Anu Kaloti Auckland, June 30, 2018 A small but strong group of international Indian students was unfairly deported last year after months of protests against the National Party government. The students came to New Zealand on legitimate visas issued by INZ. The unscrupulous agents that students trusted had attached fraudulent financial documents to visa applications without students’ knowledge. Church support…

Reuters, RNZ Auckland, June 29, 2018 At least four people were fatally shot at a newspaper office in the Maryland capital of Annapolis on Thursday (June 28) and a suspect was apprehended, multiple media reports said. The incident took place outside the Capital Gazette office and a reporter said that the suspect fired directly into the newsroom. For now, the…